RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
With the national budget just days away, contractors, taxi drivers, and frustrated citizens are urging the Government to make road repairs a top priority, citing crumbling infrastructure as a key driver behind the escalating cost of living.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Paul Hamilton, the Public Relations Officer of the Chaguanas to San Fernando Taxi Drivers Association, said the condition of the roads was pushing drivers to the brink.
“We’re barely surviving,” Hamilton said. “The roads are destroying our vehicles, and every day, it’s costing us more to repair the damage. This isn’t just about inconvenience—it’s about survival.”
Hamilton noted that the deteriorating roads have been choking productivity, as drivers spend hours in traffic, struggling to navigate the pothole-ridden routes.
“The poor road conditions are crippling us,” he said.
“It’s not just about fixing roads—it’s about fixing lives and livelihoods,” he added.
He said drivers have been forced to reduce the number of trips they make daily. Those who have no choice but to meet a specified number of trips often risk their lives by working later hours, fearful of falling prey to criminals.
Meanwhile, on the Gasparillo route, Andy Fields said he wanted to see more incentives for taxi drivers in the budget.
“It’s costing us a lot of money to repair our vehicles,” he said, noting that landslips in areas like Buen Intento, Caratal, Bonne Avenue, and Whiteland were damaging the roads.
“We need the Government to make landslip repairs a priority in the budget because people are crying out and nothing is being done,” he said.
Penal taxi driver Robin Poonwassie also emphasised that the reduction of food prices should be a priority in the 2024/2025 Budget.
“People are struggling to afford food,” he said. “We need better national security, better hospitals, better roads, and infrastructure.”
He also criticised the five per cent petroleum taxes charged at the pumps, stating they should have been used to pave roads.
“We haven’t seen proper road paving for about 20 years. Where’s the money going? Nobody knows!” he declared.
Another citizen, William Marcelline, said he wanted more accountability in road paving. “They’re playing games with no benefits to the small man. As a taxi driver, we want to make an honest living and not be victimised by the authorities,” he said.
Marcelline also called on the Government to set up robust compliance and inspection systems for road paving. “I want contractors to be scrutinised because it is the contractors who are repairing the roads,” he said.
Prioritise local contractors–Mahabirsingh
Meanwhile, Glen Mahabirsingh, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA), also called for urgent government support to boost the construction sector.
“The construction industry is a significant contributor to Trinidad and Tobago’s economy, accounting for five to six per cent of GDP,” Mahabirsingh said.
He emphasised the sector’s role in employment, infrastructure development, and supporting industries such as energy and tourism.
Among the TTCA’s key recommendations, Mahabirsingh stressed the need to prioritise local contractors.
“Implementing policies that favour competent local contractors in government projects will stimulate the local economy and create jobs.”
He also called for timely payments to contractors, noting, “A streamlined payment process is crucial for enhancing cash flow and ensuring project completion rates.”
Mahabirsingh further urged the Government to address the availability of foreign exchange for contractors, which is essential to keeping projects on track. He also recommended investment in youth training programmes and maintaining public infrastructure.
“Our recommendations will strengthen the construction sector, promote economic growth, and significantly improve the quality of life for citizens,” he added.
Ministry of Works Allocations (2018 - 2024)
Year Total Allocation (TTD) National Budget (TTD) Percentage of National Budget
2018 $2,257,337,796.00 $54,211,726,813.00 4.2%
2019 $2,085,294,862.00 $54,581,467,181.00 3.8%
2020 $2,207,020,577.00 $57,388,076,726.00 3.8%
2021 $2,360,842,283.00 $56,498,472,820.00 4.2%
2022 $2,274,870,828.00 $58,974,346,470.00 3.9%
2023 $2,281,088,112.00 $67,063,358,456.00 3.4%
2024 $2,490,909,000.00 $68,384,229,740.00 3.6%
Note: The Ministry's total allocation as a percentage of the national budget increased by 0.2% from fiscal year 2023 to 2024. Source MOWT